‘Build-a-Backpack’ Event In Newark Is A Success: Back To School

NEWARK, NJ — More than 150 children recently got some free school supplies at a “Build-a-Backpack” event in Newark.

Three elementary schools in the Ironbound district – Ann Street, Hawkins Street and South Street – teamed up with East Ward Councilman Michael Silva and Newark-based real estate firm J&L Companies to hold the giveaway event.

J&L Companies mobilized its corporate, management and leasing teams to collect and distribute hundreds of backpacks and classroom supplies in advance of the first day of school.

Gabriela Vicuna – an Ann Street School alum – is also the parent of a student at her old alma mater. Vicuna, now an accounting manager at J&L Companies, helped to pick out the backpacks and other supplies.

“As an alum and now parent, it means the world to be able to partner with the school that provided such a strong foundation for me and now a new generation of young people,” Vicuna said.

“We know that there are many families in need, and at the beginning of the school year, it becomes more difficult for families to reconcile the multiple needs, so these gestures of goodwill enhance our community spirit and are representative of the strength and resilience of our people,” Silva said.

“It is this type of action that reinforces our presence and essence as an integrated and united community,” the councilman added.

Ann Street School Principal Isabel Marques, who hosted the event at the school’s parking lot, thanked Silva and J&L for helping students get a jump on a new year.

“Community partnerships are vital for our students, and this is just another beautiful example of the wonderful city of Newark coming together for the sake of our learners having the best opportunities to succeed,” Marques said.

Nonprofit organizations interested in partnering with J&L can contact katelynn@jlcos.com, the company said.

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